KMPDU threatens nationwide doctors' strike over delayed salary adjustments

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has threatened to call a nationwide doctors' strike if county governments fail to implement long-delayed basic salary adjustments and clear outstanding arrears as provided for under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

In a notice to members dated July 21, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah directed doctors across all 47 counties to scrutinise their July 2026 payslips to confirm whether the revised salary scales had been effected, warning that the union would immediately trigger industrial action and institute contempt of court proceedings against non-compliant accounting officers if the adjustments are not reflected.

Dr. Atellah said the union had exhausted all legal, administrative and intergovernmental channels to secure implementation of the salary adjustments anchored in the 2017–2021 CBA, the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) signed on May 8, 2024, and its December 19, 2024 addendum.

According to the union, previous technical and administrative obstacles cited by government agencies have now been resolved, leaving no justification for further delays in implementing the revised salaries and paying outstanding arrears.

"The strict timelines granted by our Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) on 9th May 2026 have elapsed. Compliance will not be delivered on a silver platter—it must be exacted through our collective strength and solidarity," Dr. Atellah said in the circular.

He instructed Branch Executive Committees and members nationwide to audit their July payslips before the union decides on its next course of action.

"Should any county government fail to reflect the adjusted basic salary rates or issue a clear schedule for disbursing outstanding arrears, we will act immediately," he said.

"KMPDU stands ready to execute nationwide industrial action and initiate contempt of court proceedings against non-compliant Accounting Officers without further notice."

The union boss outlined a series of engagements it says demonstrate that all procedural requirements have already been fulfilled.

Among them is a July 4, 2025 letter from the Council of Governors (CoG) requesting the State Department for Public Service to issue a new payroll code for the revised salaries, while confirming that the National Government had made resources available for payment of salary arrears.

The KMPDU chief also cited guidance issued by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on September 19, 2025 approving the basic salary notches developed by a multi-agency team for implementation of the 2017–2021 CBA.

He further noted that Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale wrote to the Ministry of Public Service on June 29, 2026 seeking urgent coding of the revised salary scales in the Human Resource Information System (HRIS-ke).

In response, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku confirmed on July 1 that the payroll system already contains a special salary code for payments outside the normal civil service structure and requires no additional modification, with county payroll managers able to use the existing facility.

Dr. Atellah said KMPDU subsequently issued a final ultimatum to the CoG on July 6 demanding immediate implementation across all counties before participating in a multi-agency consultative meeting convened by the council on July 13 to deliberate on the rollout of the salary adjustments.

The union argued that county governments have acknowledged budgetary provisions for the revised salaries, SRC has provided guidance on the applicable salary structure, and the payroll system has been confirmed ready for implementation.

"There is now zero justification for any further delay by any county government or Ministry department," Dr. Atellah said.

He maintained that KMPDU had acted in good faith by pursuing legal and administrative remedies before considering industrial action.

"We have engaged in good faith, followed every legal process, and dismantled every roadblock in our way. We will not allow administrative inertia to rob doctors of their dignity and hard-earned rights," he said, urging members to remain on standby for further directions from the union's National Advisory Council.